The Delivery Room

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Jessie Stephens is terrified of birth, but one day she’d like to have a baby. That’s why she’s hosting The Delivery Room. Over eight weeks join Jessie as she speaks to eight different women about eight very different births. Will her new friends make her more comfortable with the experience? Or will this experiment have the opposite effect?

1 HR AGO

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Spontaneous Triplets Arrived All at Once

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. Enjoy! When 26-year-old Silje and her husband Jordan decided to expand their family beyond their 18-month-old son Mads, they never imagined what would happen next. In today's episode, Silje shares the breathtaking moment at her dating scan when the sonographer counted not one, not two, but three heartbeats—completely spontaneous fraternal triplets with no family history of multiples. From navigating a high-risk pregnancy while caring for a toddler and maintaining her legal career, to the extraordinary cesarean birth where she'd already named each baby based on their distinct movements in utero. Silje takes us through her journey of delivering Ada, Teddy and Eric at 34 weeks, and how this unexpected blessing transformed her into an advocate for multiple birth families across Australia. Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth hereCREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Silje Andersen-Cooke Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov Audio Producer: Leah Porges Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

33 min
2 DAYS AGO

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose C-Section Anaesthesia Failed in Sweden

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. Enjoy! When Mamamia's Head of Content, Eliza, found herself unexpectedly pregnant with her third child during what was meant to be a one-year Swedish adventure, life took a beautiful detour. But her planned C-section was not so routine when the spinal anaesthesia failed midway through, causing Eliza to feel the surgical procedure. After a desperate plea for help and being rushed to be put under general anaesthetic, Eliza describes waking up to the joy of meeting her son August. She shares the cultural differences of Swedish healthcare—celebration sandwiches with tiny flags, their devotion to constant skin-to-skin contact (to the point of no hospital bassinets!), and the staff's bewilderment at her Australian swaddling techniques. Her story beautifully weaves together the unexpected moments of motherhood with cross-cultural discovery. Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world. If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth here. CREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Eliza Sorman Nilsson Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov Audio Producer: Leah Porges Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

37 min
3 DAYS AGO

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Diagnosed With Cancer Two Days Before Learning She Was Pregnant

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. Imagine discovering you're pregnant just two days after receiving a rare blood cancer diagnosis at 30. For journalist Elle Halliwell, this unimaginable scenario became reality when her routine health check revealed chronic myeloid leukemia—an incurable but treatable condition that would change everything. Despite doctors advising she terminate the pregnancy to begin life-saving treatment, Elle made the extraordinary decision to continue, feeling it was "meant to be." She takes us through the peace she found amid chaos, and her induced birth at 36 weeks that brought her perfect son Tor into the world. From the emotional rollercoaster of breastfeeding while preparing for cancer treatment, to rebuilding her life as a mother with an ongoing medical condition, Elle's story is a powerful testament to maternal determination that defied medical odds. THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth here. CREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Elle Halliwell Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Tina Matolov Audio Producer: Leah Porges Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

35 min
4 DAYS AGO

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Water Broke in the Hospital Carpark with Sarah Davidson

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. Enjoy! In this weeks episode, Seize the Yay's Sarah Davidson takes us through her emotional journey to motherhood—one made even more unique by her experience as a cross-cultural adoptee. From experiencing a heartbreaking missed miscarriage that left her waiting three painful weeks for a D&C procedure, to the surprising natural conception that followed unsuccessful fertility treatments; Sarah navigated her pregnancy with cautious hope until her waters dramatically broke in the hospital car park at exactly 38 weeks. As her breech baby Teddy arrived, Sarah's mother—who had never experienced pregnancy herself—was there to witness this profound moment, creating a beautiful full-circle experience and solidifying Sarah's belief that Teddy was meant for their family all along. THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth here. CREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Sarah Davidson Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Ella Maitland Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

32 min
5 DAYS AGO

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Husband Slept Through The Entire Birth with Lucinda Pikkat

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. Enjoy! When contractions began during a Succession marathon with her mum, Lucinda Pikkat wasn't particularly concerned—her husband Simon was asleep at home an hour away, and surely there would be plenty of time to alert him. In today's episode, Lucinda shares how her third daughter Saachi followed her older sisters remarkable pattern of arriving precisely at 38 weeks. As labor progressed quickly and phone calls went unanswered, Lucinda gave birth with her mother by her side, while her husband slept blissfully unaware, only discovering he had a new daughter when he woke up the next morning! Lucinda reflects on the unexpected full-circle moment as her own mum stepped into the support role during her birth, creating a unique bond between three generations. She shares how she refined her approach to childbirth with each pregnancy, making her deliveries progressively more manageable, and describes the euphoric "warrior princess" high that accompanied each of her births. THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth here. CREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Lucinda Pikkat Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Ella Maitland Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 min
6 DAYS AGO

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Embryos Went Missing on her Surrogacy Journey

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. After years of heartache, disappointment, and countless tears, Kirsten McLennan discovered her endometrial lining was too thin to nurture a pregnancy—a devastating revelation after multiple failed IVF attempts. When specialists suggested surrogacy might be her path to parenthood, Kirsten and her husband Ryan embarked on an emotional international journey filled with both crushing setbacks and beautiful moments of hope. In today's touching episode, Kirsten vulnerably shares her difficult path to becoming a mother—from the moment when transported embryos went missing in Canada to when they finally connected with their surrogate Leigha in Utah, they found not just a carrier for their precious baby, but a compassionate friend who opened her heart and home to help create their miracle. Kirsten reflects on the beautiful complexity of surrogacy—the profound joy of those first skin-to-skin moments with Spencer, the deep bond formed while living with Leigha's family, and the overwhelming emotions they all shared in the delivery room. THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth hereCREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Kirsten McLennan Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Ella Maitland Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 min
28/12/2025

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Who Discovered She Had Placenta Accreta 6 Weeks After Giving Birth

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. After navigating IVF and finally welcoming her beautiful daughter Camilla into the world, Anna Bamford's birth journey took an unexpected and frightening turn. In this weeks episode, Anna shares her story, and her journey to get answers for a medical complication which was initially dismissed, despite her growing intuition that something wasn't right. When Anna lost nearly 1.5 litres of blood immediately after delivery, doctors assured her they had removed all placental tissue—but her body told a different story. As she struggled desperately with breastfeeding, Anna couldn't shake the feeling that retained placenta was affecting her milk supply. For six long weeks, she fought to be heard by medical professionals who repeatedly dismissed her concerns. Anna vulnerably recounts the emotional toll of feeling "gaslit" by the medical system and the vindication—yet frustration—of finally receiving an ultrasound at six weeks postpartum that confirmed placenta accreta. She reflects on the importance of trusting your instincts as a new mother, advocating for yourself even when experts disagree, and finding peace with the feeding journey that works for your family. Diary Of A Birth features mums sharing their heartfelt stories of bringing life into the world. Share your birth story at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send a voice note here. THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth here CREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Anna Bamford Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Ella Maitland Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

33 min
26/12/2025

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Who Learned To Walk Three Times

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. Pregnancy is often described as a transformative journey, but for Briar, it became something far more complex. Having already navigated the life-altering experience of spinal surgery and disability in her twenties, she approached motherhood with both excitement and careful consideration. She'd rebuilt her life, regained her independence, and felt ready to embrace this new chapter. From the very beginning of her pregnancy, however, Briar's body began responding in ways that challenged everything she thought she knew about managing her disability. The same hormones that were nurturing her growing baby were also affecting the delicate balance she'd achieved in her own physical recovery. What started as manageable discomfort gradually escalated into pain that threatened to overwhelm her carefully constructed coping strategies and potentially prevent her from carrying Theodora to term. Diary Of A Birth features mums sharing their heartfelt stories of bringing life into the world. Share your birth story at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send a voice note here. THE END BITS:Support independent women's mediaFollow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth hereCREDITS: Host: Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Briar Harte Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers: Ksenija Lukich & Ella Maitland Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

36 min

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Jessie Stephens is terrified of birth, but one day she’d like to have a baby. That’s why she’s hosting The Delivery Room. Over eight weeks join Jessie as she speaks to eight different women about eight very different births. Will her new friends make her more comfortable with the experience? Or will this experiment have the opposite effect? The Delivery Room is made in partnership with Elevit. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12/05/2021

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Jessie Stephens

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Fiona Falkiner

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Hayley Willis

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Hayden Foster

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Jessie Stephens is terrified of birth, but one day she’d like to have a baby. That’s why she’s hosting The Delivery Room. Over eight weeks join Jessie as she speaks to eight different women about eight very different births. Will her new friends make her more comfortable with the experience? Or will this experiment have the opposite effect?